First Time Air Travel Guide

If you have not flown before, you might have a lot of questions about what to expect and what you should do. The first thing to remember is that traveling by airplane is safe and can be enjoyable. Knowing what to do and what to expect in all phases of your air travel will make your trip much more relaxing, and you will be a veteran air traveler before you know it.

Pack And Print

Pack only what you think you will need. Packing extra, unnecessary items will make your carry-on bags heavier and might result in having to pay to check extra baggage with the airline, according to iFly.com.

Visit your airlines website and find out if you are able to check in ahead of time. Print your boarding passes. Most airlines allow you to do this 24 hours in advance and this will keep you from having to wait in line at ticketing.

Arriving At The Airport

The airport can be a bit overwhelming if you arent used to it. Lots of noise, people and security lines will certainly be there when you arrive. Get there at least 90 minutes in advance.

If you are checking bags, or if you have not printed out your boarding passes elsewhere, find your airlines service counter in the lobby and get in line. You will need a photo ID, such as your drivers license, and your reservation information ready. Tell them if you need to obtain your boarding passes, and let them know how many bags you want to check.

If you already have your boarding passes, and you have only carry-on baggage, then you should check the departures board for your flight number and proceed to security in the proper terminal.

Security

Get in line and grab a bin for your belongings. Remove your shoes and place them in the bin to be scanned with anything else you have in your pockets. You will be asked to walk through a metal detector.

The Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA) has increased security measures drastically since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and you should check its website to find out the current list of acceptable items you may bring on a plane before packing. Follow the TSA resource link below for a current list of prohibited items.

Taking Off

After finding your assigned seat and placing your belongings in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you, buckle up and relax.

Be prepared to experience the roar and thrust of the engine. You will feel yourself forced back into your seat and the plane will quickly reach 150 miles per hour or more and lift off the ground at a steep angle. After about 30 seconds, the plane will level off some, according to FlyingFear.net.

You may hear the landing gear retract. It can be loud, but remember it is a normal.

Turbulence

You will likely experience turbulence. It can range from a slight bump to fairly severe shaking, but it is a normal part of air travel and not a freak occurrence. If you want to be reassured when things get bumpy, take a look around. Most people on the plane know what its like, so if they dont look concerned, you probably shouldnt be either.